Former U.S. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will be the keynote speaker for the 2010 RV Dealers International Convention/Expo at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., Oct. 4-8.

Secretary Kempthorne will deliver his remarks to attendees at the Tuesday (Oct. 5) General Session. The convention is sponsored by the Recreation Vehicle Dealers Assocation (RVDA), Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association of Canada (RVDA Canada) and the RV Learning Center, according to a news release.

Kempthorne continues to champion outdoor recreation and is an active RV traveler and motorcyclist. As secretary of the interior, he brought fundamental changes to the relationships among national interests in the environmental, conservation, and outdoor recreation. During his service in the U.S. Senate, Kempthorne led successful efforts to create a sustainable funding source for building and maintaining trails and to promote balance between resource protection and outdoor fun.

He received the 20th Sheldon Coleman Great Outdoors Award during Great Outdoors Week from the American Recreation Coalition (ARC) in 2008.

“Secretary Kempthorne has a track record of developing innovative approaches to meet the outdoor recreation needs of RV travelers and other outdoor enthusiasts,” said RVDA Convention/Expo Committee Chairman Peter Albano of American RV in Olive Branch, Miss. “As a long-time motorhome owner, he is enthusiastic about the future prospects for our industry. He will provide an inspiring message for everyone that makes their living in the RV business.”

Themed “Go to Grow – Innovative Ideas, Revolutionary Results,” the RV Dealers International/Convention Expo will be filled with vital information that will prepare RV dealers and their employees to take advantage of new opportunities in today’s RV market. The education program will include workshops on wholesale and retail financing options, new inventory management strategies, and how to reach new customers through innovative marketing communications.

The 2010 convention will also feature an exhibit hall filled with the RV industry’s top companies offering products and services to help dealers improve profitability. RVDA’s Partners in Progress Brand Committees will also meet to work on important dealer-manufacturer issues and the results of RVDA’s Dealer Satisfaction Index (DSI).

To make the convention as affordable as possible, RVDA is offering special registration plans including an “Easy-Pay” plan of four payments and the ability to “lock-in” early bird savings for additional employees with one paid convention registration submitted by May 31.